Veneers

Dental veneers are thin custom made shells that cover the front surface of your tooth to improve their appearance. They are made of tooth colored materials and can be used to improve the color of teeth that have been worn down or stained. Alternatively, they can be used to improve the shape or size of the tooth.

Types of veneers
There are two types of veneers that are commonly used. Porcelain veneers are more durable, and resist stains better. The properties of the material also helps to create a very natural tooth look. Unlike porcelain veneers, composite resin veneers are directly applied to the teeth and typically have a shorter life span, and are less expensive.

When should you consider dental veneers?
You talk to you dentist about dental veneers if

Your teeth are stained or discolored teeth

Your teeth are crooked or misshaped teeth

Your teeth have spaces between them

Your teeth are broken or chipped

How it's done
One visit to your dentist is typically required for porcelain veneers. At this visit, three important steps are completed. Firstly, your tooth is prepared to be fitted with a veneer, which will involve trimming a portion of the tooth so the veneer can be bonded on top. Secondly, an optical impression is taken of your tooth which will be sent to a milling unit to prepare the veneer. Finally, the new veneer will be checked to see if it fits well. It's best not to adjust porcelain veneers after they are bonded to your teeth, so any adjustments will be made beforehand. Once you and the dentist are satisfied with the look and feel of the veneer, it will be bonded to your tooth.

As for composite veneers, they are placed in two visits. Firstly, your tooth is prepared to be fitted with a veneer, which will involve trimming a portion of the tooth so the veneer can be bonded on top. Secondly, an impression is taken and sent to a dental laboratory so they can make the composite veneer. A temporary filling material is placed on the tooth until your next visit.

At the second visit, the temporary filling material is removed and the composite veneer is tried on and fitted. Once the veneer is ready to place it is bonded to the tooth and this material is cured with ultraviolet light to make it permannent. It is then polished and checked for a proper bite.